The most magical places you can actually visit

From Tolkien’s Shire to a classic fairy tale castle – these are magical settings you can visit in real life

Forget a romantic getaway to Paris. Why not a trip directly to Wonderland? Look no further than these real life fairy tale places you can get to without having to fall down a rabbit-hole. These are six places that could come straight from a storybook.

LAKE DISTRICT, UK

With green meadows, sparkling lakes and jagged rocks, the Lake District in northwest England is such a perfect postcard view that supposedly it even inspired the great JRR Tolkien. The idyllic valley is said to have served as a template for the Lord of the Rings creator’s home of the hobbits, the Shire.

Traveller info:The Lord of the Rings movies may have been filmed in New Zealand but the Lake District has provided the backdrop to productions such as 28 Days Later and Snow White and the Huntsman.

ROTHENBURG, GERMANY

The beautiful old houses, secluded squares, taverns and towers in the town of Rothenburg will transport you back to the Middle Ages. Walk the ‘Romantic Road’ along the backdrop of the Franconian wine region and Alpine peaks to witness spellbinding castles.

Traveller info: Arrive during winter when the snow-covered roof tops and spires turn the village into a Christmas card. Proving its magical quality, the region was the setting for scenes in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows.

ROTHENBURG, GERMANY

GOKAYAMA, JAPAN

Lining the Shogawa River Valley in the remote mountains spanning from Gifu to Toyama Prefectures is the UNESCO world heritage site of Gokayama. The traditional farmhouses called gassho-zukuri, which means “constructed like hands in prayer”, are made without nails and at a 60 degree angle to withstand heavy snow.

SHENGSI, CHINA

The abandoned fishing village of Shengsi has slowly been overcome by vines to create a spectacular fairy tale setting. The vines are everywhere; climbing old stone walls, weaving through windows and creeping along crumbling paths. The green jungle is situated on hilly terrain and just off the east coast of China, hours from Hangzhou Bay.

Neuschwanenstein

HALLSTATT, AUSTRIA

The ancient salt mine village of Hallstatt in the Salzkammergut Lake District of Austria can be found between Salzburg and Graz. ‘The Pearl of Austria’ as it is also known is a UNESCO heritage site and believed to be one of the oldest still inhabited settlements in Europe, with features dating back to the early Iron Age.

Traveller info: Surrounded by beautiful mountains, the village does not allow cars from May to October, making it the perfect location for a romantic walk.